March 1, 2011
Dear Hottenstein Relatives,
To celebrate the 75th Hottenstein Reunion in 2011, we are planning a 14 day Hottenstein Europe Tour. This will be the last escorted Hottenstein Europe Tour and is designed especially for those who have not been on any of the last 5 tours. We will visit the home town of the first immigrant, Johann Jacob Hottenstein, as well as the surrounding Black Forest area and the Rhine River area to get a sense of Jacob’s life and his travels to get to America. Although no direct connection has been made to the family name, we plan a visit to the Hottenstein church in the town of Hottenstein, a district of Wuppertal. Since our first visit, they have been working to find a connection with the family name and we enjoy meeting and sharing information gathered since the last visit.
After exploring the family history part of the trip, we cannot come home without exploring the most beautiful parts of Europe as well. So we will also visit the Swiss and Austrian Alps, a cheese farm, salt mine, ice mine, the Eagle’s Nest, castles and churches as well as the beautiful cities of Salzburg (Sound of Music fame) and Prague (home of John Huss).
This tour is a small group of no more than 20 people so we can be flexible as we travel and make new discoveries as we go. Since the group is small, it is on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested in this tour, it is recommended that you send in your registration form and deposit as early as possible to hold your seat We are holding 16 air seats and will take up to 20 people; but after 16, it is on a space available basis. We hope you are able to join us on this adventure!
Enclosed is the planned itinerary and a reservation sheet if you are interested in joining us. It’s a great way to get to know and share stories with other relatives as we celebrate 75 years of meeting as an extended family and researching our ancestors.
Sincerely,
Joe & Joyce Hottenstein
Tour Escorts
Hottenstein Europe Tour
September 6-20, 2011
Day 1 Leave Newark for overnight flight to Germany
Day 2 After arrival, visit Hottenstein church in Wuppertal, then relax at hotel (1 night)
Day 3 Visit Koln, and drive along the Rhine River to Rudesheim for overnight(2 nights)
Day 4 Free day to hike thru vineyards; take a tram ride, a boat ride on the Rhine, shopping,
or just relax, enjoy the surroundings and watch the river traffic on the busy Rhine.
Day 5 Visit Heidelburg Castle and Ittlingen (home of our Immigrant) on way to Karlsruhe (1 night)
Day 6 Visit with Ursula(if possible), her parents graves and home, then drive into the Black Forest for a memorable overnight stay.(1 night)
Day 7 Today we will visit the Black Forest Museum, and House of 1000 Cuckoo clocks then on to Bern, Switzerland (1 night)
Day 8 Visit to a cheese farm, then on to Old Town Luzerne to see the Kapellbrücke, the
oldest road bridge in Europe, with it’s beautiful roof panels, painted in the 17th century
with scenes from the city’s past and present, then overnight in Interlaken (2 nights)
Day 9 Free Day to enjoy the Swiss Alps as you prefer- hike the Alps from the hotel, shop, or take the train to Grindelwald or the Jungfrauhoch,(world’s highest train station), or a boat ride on the lakes; or maybe visit the Monks cattle, who are pastured in the middle of town. Interlaken is a beautiful town sitting in the heart of the Swiss Alps between two huge lakes.
Day 10 An incredible drive today over the Swiss and Austrian Alps to the Chiemsee in Germany to
visit “Crazy” King Ludwig’s Herrenchiemsee Castle (1 night)
Day 11 Stop in Oberndorf (Silent Night church), visit Werfen Ice Caves, tour Salt Mine & free time in Berchtesgaden to shop in town or take optional tour of Eagle’s Nest. Overnight in Salzburg (2 nights)
Day 12 Free day in Salzburg-visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress , Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s Birthplace, St. Peter′s Abbey and cemetery, the magnificent Mirabell gardens; or do the Sound of Music tour, take in a concert in the Fortress; or stroll through the Old City and listen to the many street musicians. The day is yours to explore as you wish.
Day 13 Drive from Austria to Passau, Germany; Cesky Krumlov; and Tabor, Czech Republic- home
of the Hussite Movement; on the way to Prague (2 nights)
Day 14 Free Day in Prague- visit the John Huss Memorial, the Jewish Section, Old Town Clock Tower with the built-in astronomical clock from the 15th century, the Charles Bridge and the Prague Castle or maybe take a relaxed boat ride on the Vltava river. (Tour of Underground Prague if possible)
Day 15 Fly Home early in the morning
Includes:
· Round trip airfare from Newark,
· Current taxes and fuel charges*
· Escorted by Joe & Joyce Hottenstein throughout tour
· 13 nights lodging and taxes in European-style inns & hotels with private bath
· Hotel service charges and local taxes
· Breakfast and dinner daily
· Deluxe Motorcoach & driver throughout
· Tips to driver and guides
· Entrance fees to included features:
o Heidelberg Castle
o Black Forest Farm Museum
o Emmenthal Cheese Farm
o Herrenchiemsee Castle including ferry and carriage ride
o Ice Cave
o Salt Mine
o Prague Tour
Price: $3995.00 per person Double Occupancy
Single Supplement- $549.00
Items not Included:
· Transportation to airport
· Lunch daily
· Optional siteseeing
· Drinks at dinner (each person pays waiter in cash after dinner. We do request tap water each day, but it’s not guaranteed)
· Travel Insurance*
· All items of a personal nature
· Be sure to read Terms & Conditions